The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-17
The Press and Banner.
Wednesday, August II, 1887.
neath of General p. II. Bradley.

QAy Ql5Hl, :tuSuol 'S'b 81 s''N
years.
He was born in Abbeville county, IN l>i''
and has lived here ever since lie marrieu
Miss Jane Chiles, daughter oil lhoh'aS J" :
Chiles. who preceded him to the grave SUN.
twelve years. TO them were born family Vi
SONS and daughters-fonr OF whom survive
General Bradley has always lived correct
life. and his christian character pore gooo
fruits. In 1887 he was ordained elder OF Cedar
Spring Associate Reformed Presbyterian
church which Office he held until the uaS
OF his death. The church at Cedar spring
had been without a pastor from 1921
TO 1887. In that time vacancies IN 'ne
eldership occurred. General Bradley anu
his father were ordained elder AT lhe
Same time, with DR.. George w. Prcssly ana
Robert brennan, in the first year OF the pas
torate of Rev. w. r. Hemphill, d. d.
General Bradley in his youth acquired a
good English education, which together WIN
a splendid natural endowment, made MIN
man among men. He was OF positive ch''r-
acter. with the highest instincts HIS hoiior
able spirit and genial disposition made lor
him MANY warm friends. He was distih-
guished for fixedness OF purpose, great energy
and n determination to overcome whatever
obstacles he might meet. BY energy, goou
INDICTMENT. and an untiring work he amnssed
a fortune, which was swept away by the war;
when he was left bankrupt but with the ell
ergy and will OF younger man, he
ADAPTED himself to the changed condition
Of affairs, and at the time OF his death he
had regained quite an estate.
General Bradley was public spirited al
nllDlic
honors, and it may be truly said OF him thaI
he was a worker IN the ranks. Whatever was
for the public good always met General brao
ley's hearty support and active co-operaIioh
When the war broke out he raised compap!
and enlisted in the service OF his country.
The company which he raised elected MIN 10
their command, and the company was enlist
ed in the war as company Z. uh >. ~
Regiment. Being we'll advanced in years, nc
served only for year or two, Wheh ne TO-
turned home, and the people elected MIN 10
the LEGISLATURE where he represented Aboe-
VILE district In the Sessions Of 1867, ana 1903.
Twenty years later, and after terrible re'o
luton had swept over the country, he was re-
,urned to the General Assembly from Abbe-
willie county in 1882 and 1888, where he made
an honorable record from beginning to end.
At one time he was President OF the Aboe-
Vile Agricultural Society, but his crowning
act as public-spirited citizen was the oullu-
ing OF the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad.
His act in this instance was prompted by the
desire to promote the material prosperity ol
the community in which he lived. HIS nome
and the homes of his Sneighbors ranged
from twelve to twenty miles from railroad
transportation. His keen perception real
tzed the great necessity for the road. and
feeling an unbounded confidence that sue
csss would crown determined efforts In
commendable cause, he took charge Of the
convicts and gave the work Of surveying and
grading the road his individal and UNDIVIDED
attention. Future generations Will never
know with what fidelity and answering de-
votion he applied himself to the work. lie
travelled day and night, and pledged his per-
sonal fortune in the work. When money
and provisions to feed the convicts could
not be had from the Railroad Company he
furnished them on his own account. During
the progress Of the work, the eonvicts were
at one time ordered back to the penitentiary.
But he was unawed by the powers OF the
State, and single-handed and alone, deneu
the State to violate its contract. lie had con-
tracted for tie convicts on specified terms
and conditions, and knowing his rights
he with the independence OF his nature,
maintained them at every hazard. The work
was pushed forward, and we oil know the
result but few will ever know the difficulties
under which IL was achieved. No citizen ol
any country has prouder monument than
has General Bradley in the grand work which
lao In hrinpinD To remote
neighborhood all the advantages of splcn-
did railroad.
Having in the vigor of his manhood, and In
the strength of his old age, discharged every
duty for the temporal benefit of his country
men, he did not, In the feebleness which pre-
ceded his departure, forget their spiritual
welfare. Astounding in thankfulness to The
Great Head of the Church, and full of broth
erly love for al he freely gave the
land tine timber, and whatever else was ne
cessary for the construction Of house In
which his nelghbors might assemble for the
worship of the Lord our God. Having faith
fully served the church as elder for hily
wears the erection OF the building for divine
worship was an act beautifully illustrating
the character OF the man and the Christian,
while adorning the close Of a long and useful
life
General Bradley was true and trusted
friend Of Erskine College He never with
held his aid, and always manifested the great
est interest in It's welfare. He was trustee
OF the institution for many years.
General Bradley had good health until two
years ago, when he had paralysis. Since
then he has been In feeble health, though
still active and energetic.
Last Friday night he was taken with some
thing like spasm. from which he never raj
lied. 1t was evident to- his friends that his
days were numbered. His children were
called. He was surrounded by those who
loved him most dearly. The end came Mt
nine o'clock on Sunday night, and Abbeville
county will never have his like again.
His remains were buried at Cedar Springs
on Monday afternoon Mt half-past three
o'clock, beside the body of his beloved
wife. Rev. H. r. Sloan, d. d., preached
the funeral sermon. His heart was deeply
moved at the loss OF one on which he had
ever relied as safe counsellor and steadfast
friend.
The .Abbeville Lawyers.
The Abbeville lawyers seem TO be in luck.
Last week General Bonham cleared his client